A pro-nuclear politician has run the race to become governor of Tokyo on Sunday, exit polls suggested, in an election widely seen as a referendum on the future of atomic power.
Yoichi Masuzoe, a former cabinet minister, won the race to rule Japan's capital by a comfortable margin over 15 other candidates, taking over 30% of the vote, according to a television exit poll.
Mr Masuzoe, who was backed by Japan's conservative ruling party, will take office almost exactly three years after the worst nuclear disaster in decades took place in Fukushima, about 150 miles north of Tokyo.
The election was regarded as a test of public support for nuclear power. Both of Mr Masuzoe's two main rivals were strongly anti-nuclear. As his victory became apparent, Mr Masuzoe, 65, told journalists: "I want to make Tokyo the number one city in the world."
Experts described Mr Masuzoe's win as a boost for the pro-nuclear prime minister, Shinzo Abe, as the government prepares to restart Japan's nuclear power stations, all of which were shut down after Fukushima.
The role of Tokyo's governor – the equivalent of mayor – involves running the nation's wealthiest and most populated prefecture, with 13 million people and a budget of £79 billion.
Mr Masuzoe will face a string of challenges in addition to the future of nuclear energy. Topping his agenda will be the 2020 Olympics, with major infrastructure projects already under way.
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